The task of interior design for the California Zephyr went the Philadelphia architectural firm of
Harbeson, Hough, Livingston and Larson, which had evolved from the Paul Cret design house
(H-2 L-2, as they are known, are still in business to this day). Paul Cret and HHL&L were known
for the complete design of the Philadelphia Zoological Gardens, the rare book room at the
University of Pennsylvania Library, the master plan for the complete recreation of historical
Independence Mall, and their previous interior design work with Budd. The original Burlington
Zephyr was a complete Paul Cret design, as well.

John Harbeson became the CZ's project architect, and as such he coordinated the effort and
selected the individual artists who's work graced the train and contributed to its grandeur. More
than just filler decoration, Harbeson wanted the art of the train to stimulate the passengers'
interest in the land through which they traveled. It is a reflection of the confidence that Harbeson
had in the artists he selected that he allowed them to create freely without attempting to control
them. Here are the principal artists that John Harbeson selected:

Pierre Bourdelle -- Created carved and polychromed linoleum bar fronts which pictured
sage hens and wild turkeys, as well as the wall pieces illustrating the train's route across America
and desert storms.

Mary Louise Lawser -- Painted a series of murals depicting historical scenes for each of
the dome-coaches, and created the appliques that hung over the aisles in the dining car.

David Harriton -- Designed the glass partitions in the dining car, as well as the reliefs in the
mirrors behind the bars and steward's podium.

Russell Patterson -- Painted the landscape murals on the walls of the buffet and observation
lounges.

Advertising Design

The
advertising art for the CZ went through several distinct periods, as can be seen
in the collection of magazine ads on our Advertisements
page. This work came from several different advertising agencies and artists, which we are
currently researching. If you have any information on artists by the names
of Komorski or Gerhardt Hurt, please let us know!

Bruce
Bomberger-- Bomberger was an artist with the San Francisco art
service Patterson and Hall, which provided services for all the major ad
agencies.